LOSING does not come naturally to Gilberto Silva, but it is not something the Gunners midfielder is planning on getting used to in the coming months.
Having missed all the pre-season friendlies, Arsenal’s Brazilian midfielder replaced Mathieu Flamini at half time in the Charity Shield, and made an immediate impression.
With Patrick Vieira gone, Gilberto is set to shoulder the defensive burden in midfield and, as the 28-year-old told the Gazette after Sunday’s game, he is ready for that extra responsibility.
“We have to learn how to play without Patrick,” said Gilberto. “We know how important he was for us, but it is a definite situation – he is definitely gone and we have to adapt.
“The young players are good players, they showed that last season and on Sunday. Cesc and Flamini are good players and I will be there to support them, to help them and push them up, that is my job. It’s a bigger responsibility for me but I take it.”
There is little doubt that Gilberto will be a key player this season.
While he was injured from September to April last season, Arsenal struggled even with Vieira still in the side.
Now the former captain has gone there is a definite shortage of experienced players who can play in the centre of midfield. In fact, with Edu having also moved on in the summer, Gilberto is the only one.
The Arsenal fans seemed to finally realise his value last season, but Arsene Wenger has never doubted it.
That is why he thrust Gilberto into action on Sunday despite the fact that the player had no competitive action under his belt in pre-season.
Because of his involvement in the Confederations Cup tournament with Brazil Gilberto only joined up with the Gunners towards the end of their tour of Austria.
Wenger decided he was not fit enough to play in Amsterdam at the start of the month either, but even after just 45 minutes of action Gilberto is confident he will be ready for the big kick-off.
“I am not one hundred per cent physically but I can get that this week. I hope to be totally fit by the time we play Newcastle and to play the whole game,” Gilberto revealed.
“When you are a bit more experienced you can play a bit more with your mind if you are not fully fit and that’s what I did.
‘We played well and we had a lot of possession but Chelsea had two or three shots and scored two goals. But the team have done well and we will be better against Newcastle.”
And Gilberto is adamant that the Gunners will be challenging for the major honours again this season, despite the sale of Vieira and the lack of any replacement.
“We have to see before the window closes but if no one comes to join us we will need to do with what we have,” he added.
“Some players have left us but I tell you we still have a good team with experienced players.
“It is up to all of us to be together and we have always had that unity since I have been here.
“This season it is going to be different but we still have that unity and that strength.”
“We want to bring the trophy back to Highbury but Chelsea want to win it and Liverpool and Manchester United too.
“There will be four teams so it’s a big challenge but I want us to be in front – it’s what we all expect this season, to come first.”
This season you feel a fit Gilberto is going to be crucial to that aim.
